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Authorities in Las Vegas are investigating a Tesla Cybertruck explosion outside the Trump Las Vegas hotel on Wednesday as a potential act of terrorism. The incident occurred just hours after a deadly attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, prompting officials to explore possible connections between the two events.
Sheriff Kevin McMahill of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department told reporters that the investigation is ongoing but no direct links have been found so far. The Cybertruck, rented in Colorado, exploded in the hotel's valet area shortly after arriving in Las Vegas. The driver, the sole fatality, was killed in the blast, while seven bystanders suffered minor injuries.
According to McMahill, surveillance footage captured the truck's journey from Colorado to Las Vegas, including stops at Tesla charging stations. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has reportedly cooperated with investigators, providing access to data and video from the vehicle. Footage revealed a payload in the truck's bed that included fireworks mortars, gasoline cans, and camping fuel canisters, indicating the explosion was caused by external materials rather than the vehicle itself.
The truck was rented through the Turo app, the same platform used to rent the pickup truck involved in the New Orleans attack. While the two incidents share some similarities, McMahill emphasized that there is currently no evidence to suggest a coordinated effort. "This appears to be an isolated incident, and there is no further threat to the community," he said at a press conference.
Musk, Trump Organization, and President Biden respond as Cybertruck blast raises lingering questions
Musk also addressed the incident on X, the platform he owns, stating, "We have now confirmed that the explosion was caused by very large fireworks and/or a bomb carried in the bed of the rented Cybertruck and is unrelated to the vehicle itself." This statement aligns with findings that ruled out a lithium battery malfunction, a common point of speculation.
The Trump Las Vegas hotel, frequently under heightened security due to its association with the Trump Organization, issued a statement thanking first responders for their swift action. Eric Trump, the organization's executive vice president, echoed this sentiment on social media, assuring guests and staff of their safety.
President Joe Biden has been briefed on the situation and offered federal assistance as needed. While investigators continue to analyze evidence, questions remain about the suspect's motives and whether the Cybertruck blast has any ties to the devastating New Orleans attack earlier that day.